To Prepare for Mass
It is the very nature of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that it offers praise and adoration to God, reparation for our sins, thanksgiving for the salvation wrought by Jesus Christ, and petition for the needs of the Church. You may find it helpful to make these purposes of the Mass more clearly your own and thus become a more active participant. You may want to pray the following prayer or something like it as you drive or walk your family to Mass, and then each family member can add his or her own special thanks and petitions.
Heavenly Father, I offer You this Mass today in praise and adoration of the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
I offer this Mass in reparation for my own sins, for those of each member of my family and extended families, and for all the sins committed against the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
I offer this Mass in thanksgiving for the whole work of creation and redemption, for the work of the prophets, for the “yes” of Jesus, for the “yes” of Mary and Joseph, for all that Jesus did and said and taught us by word and by example, for all of his miracles, for giving us his own Body and Blood as our spiritual food and drink, for his suffering and death, for his glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven, for sending the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, for the gift of his Church and all the Sacraments, for his priest who will celebrate this Mass, and for all the priests who will celebrate Mass this day, especially those who will celebrate Mass in obedience and with reverence.
I offer this Mass in thanksgiving for every personal blessing You have given to me and my family, especially for the gift of faith that draws me to worship, for my ancestors who first accepted the gift of faith and for all those who have helped to bring me the gifts of life and faith over the centuries, for the gift of good health that enables me to come to Mass, for the gift of my family, and for the freedom to worship at Mass without fear of persecution.
I offer this Mass in solemn petition for authentic reform and renewal in the Church, for all the missionary work of the Church, for a rebirth of chastity, for a stop to contraception, for a stop to abortion and euthanasia, and for a culture of life.
I offer this Mass for faith and perseverance for all those who are being actively persecuted for the Faith today; I offer this Mass for a stop to persecution of the Church; and I offer this Mass for a healing of divisions within the Church and for unity of Faith among all Christians.
I offer this Mass in petition for the conversion of Islam, for the conversion of the Jews, and for the conversion of China and all other lands still under the heavy hand of atheistic communism. I offer this Mass for the conversion of North America, for the reconversion of Latin American and Europe, and for the conversion of all countries that allow abortion and encourage personal immorality.
I offer this Mass also in solemn petition for all my personal needs and those of my family and friends and enemies—for an increase in faith, hope, love, for a deep and true spirit of religion and purity, for the gifts of wisdom and prudence and contrition for our sins, for the continuation of good health, for adequate employment, for a true spirit of Christian generosity, and for these other needs: _____________________________________________________________. Amen.
This prayer is available in the Catholic prayer book.
John F. Kippley